Locked In with Wesley Thorp
10 Episodes
World Champion Heeler Wesley Thorp opens the gate to his program in Locked In, a no-nonsense series focused on building consistent, confident heel horses from the ground up. Whether he’s tuning up a finished horse, evaluating a new one, or bringing along a colt he started himself, Thorp shares his real-time decisions in the saddle—breaking down timing, positioning, collection, and pressure without overcomplication. From dummy work and foundational drills to jackpot prep and high-level loop mechanics, every session is packed with practical insight for ropers at any stage. With guest appearances from Ryan Motes, Locked In also delivers raw conversations on the mental and technical edge it takes to heel at the highest level.
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Building Your Style and Mastering Position in the Corner
Episode 1
In this candid conversation, Wesley Thorp and Ryan Motes talk through the ropers who shaped their styles—and the lessons they still rely on to this day. From Rich Skelton’s flawless position and patience to Corey Petska’s rope angles and Clif Cooper’s footwork, they break down how to study the gr...
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Wesley Thorp: The Most Overlooked Mistake When Heeling the Dummy
Episode 2
In this video, Wesley Thorp breaks down his approach to roping the dummy with a focus on precision, power, and eliminating wasted motion.
From foot placement and shoulder position to swing path and delivery, Thorp explains how to keep your loop balanced, your swing direct, and your rope working...
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Position, Patience, and the Greats Who Shaped Their Roping
Episode 3
In this conversation, Wesley Thorp and Ryan Motes share the influences that shaped their styles—breaking down what they learned studying ropers like Rich Skelton, Cory Petska, and Clay Cooper. From Rich’s unmatched consistency in holding perfect position, to Cory’s elite swing angles, to Clay’s a...
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The Figure Eight Drill: Wesley Thorp’s Go-To for Control Through the Corner
Episode 4
Wesley Thorp demonstrates one of his foundational exercises: the Figure Eight Drill—a controlled, progressive dummy drill designed to build collection, drive, and consistent tracking in heel horses. Whether it's a green colt or a rodeo-seasoned horse, this drill is a staple in Thorp’s program.
B...
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Breaking Down Delivery, Loop Control & Power in the Heel Shot
Episode 5
In this in-depth session, Wesley Thorp and Ryan Motes get real about what makes a clean, powerful heel shot—from tip control and timing to release mechanics and rope angles. They share insights on what happens when you hold too long, release too early, or swing past your target—and how small tech...
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Building a Rope Horse: Day Back on a 4-Year-Old After Time Off
Episode 6
Wesley Thorp puts a 4-year-old gelding back to work after a break from live steers. This is a young horse he’s had since two, started himself, and carefully brought along. Today, the goal is to reintroduce pressure, score a few, rope some slow and medium steers, and see where the horse stands men...
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Holding Position: Wesley Thorp Tunes a New Heel Horse on the Dummy
Episode 7
Wesley Thorp is back on a new heel horse, working through the early stages of building consistency and control—starting on the dummy. This horse has been passed between riders, recently heeled on left-handed, and shows signs of drifting out of position after the turn. The focus today: drive to th...
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Wesley Thorp: Tuning Up a Heel Horse After Time Off
Episode 8
Three-time World Champion Heeler Wesley Thorp shares a detailed, no-frills session bringing a 10-year-old mare back into form after time off. This video shows how he builds a horse’s confidence, balance, and timing from the back end—focusing on collection through the corner, holding position, and...
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Wesley Thorp: Keeping a Finished Heel Horse Sharp and Tuned
Episode 9
In this video, Three-time World Champion Heeler Wesley Thorp works a seasoned 9-year-old gelding that’s seen plenty of runs—from amateur rodeos to World Series jackpots. This horse is solid, but after a few days off, it’s time to knock the rust off and get him sharp before the next jackpot.
Wesle... -
10:34Episode 10
Wesley Thorp Trying a New Heel Horse
Episode 10
Wesley Thorp is giving a new heel horse a shot — a 12-year-old gelding with solid breeding, a gentle mind, and a few good years of jackpot wins behind him. It’s day one, and Thorp’s approach is simple: don’t assume anything, and let the horse show what he's got.
This session is all about evaluat...